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THE HORTICULTURAL STATUS 



OF THt 



GENUS VACCINIUM 



A Thesis Presented to the University Faculty of 

Cornell University for the Degree of 

Doctor of Philosophy, 



BY 

WELTON MARKS MUNSON, 



ITHACA, N. Y. 
1901 



THE HORTICULTURAL STATUS 



OF the; 



GENUS VACCINIUM 



A Thesis Presented to the University Faculty of 

Cornell University for the Degree of 

Doctor of Philosophy, 



BY 

WELTON MARKS MUNSON. 



ITHACA, N. Y. 
1901 



y- 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Introductory i 

Common names i 

Distribution 2 

Historical notes 3 

Uses of the fruit 4 

Use for ornamental planting 7 

Propagation 8 

Cultivation lo 

The blueberry industry I2 

White blueberries i8 

Botanical notes 20 

The natural groups of species 2t 

A horticultural classification 23 

The most important species 25 

Supplementary list of American species 42 

The outlook 42 

Bibliography 43 

Index 47 



THE HORTICULTURAL STATUS OF THE GENUS 
VACCINIUM. 

The members of the genus Vaccinium, though indigenous to 
this country, and supplying in large quantities fruit which is 
surpassed in quality by but few of the more generally cultivated 
species, have received comparatively little attention from horti- 
culturists. In 1898 a report upon the Blueberry in Maine was 
published by the Maine Experiment Station. The object of 
the present paper is to present as concisely as may be the exact 
status of the group at the close of the nineteenth century, and 
if possible to extend the knowledge of these plants in such a 
way as shall insure a more just appreciation of their horticultural 
value. 

There is much confusion in the vernacular names applied to 
members of the genus Vaccinium. The terms "Bilberry," and 
"Whortleberry" usually mentioned as "common names" by 
American writers, are seldom or never heard among the common 
people in this country, while "Huckleberry" is often used indis- 
criminately for plants of this genus and for the Gaylussacias. 
In the central states the term Huckleberry is usually applied to 
Vaccinium corymhosum, while Blueberry is given to the low 
growing species like Canadense and Pennsyhanicum. In New 
England, Huckleberry is reserved for species of Gaylussacia. 
while Blueberry is applied to the lower growing species as above, 
and High-bush Blueberry to corymhosum. There is no satis- 
factory explanation of the word huckleberry, which in English 
works occurs only in those of recent date.^ The red berried 
species are, in general, referred to as cranberries. 



» The Latin writers of tlie midcUe ages generally referred to plants of tlie genus 
Vaccinium na Myrtillus, and tlie fruit was known as myrtleberry. It is not im- 
probable that the term Whortleberry is a corruption from myrtleberry (Of. Prior, 
Pop. Names, Brit. Pits. 121) and that the American colonists further changed the 
name to "hurtleberry." The transition from hurtleherry to huckleberry was easy 
by simply dropping the first r. i. e., hntleberry. Others derive the name Whortle- 
berry from the Anglo-Saxon heort-berg, hart-berry, or as we would say, deer-berry. 
The question is discussed by Sturtevant in the Transactions of the Massachusetts- 
Horticultural Society, 1800, p. 18. 



In England the common names, as collated by Sturtevant^ 
are : Whorts or Whortleberries and Bilberries ; in France, 
Airelle, Aurelle, Myrtilles, M'yrtilles des bois, Bluete; or in 
Brittany Lucets, and in Normandy Mawrets. In Sweden they 
are called, in Upland, Blabar; in Smoland, Slinner; in Scania, 
Bollion; in Lapland, Zirre and Zerre. In Brabant the usual 
terms are, Crakebesein, Haverbesein and Postelbesein ; in Ger- 
many, Heydelbeeren, Bickbeeren, Blawbeeren, Schwartzbeeren ; 
or for some species, Drunkelbeeren, Rauschbeeren, Grosse 
Heidelbeeren, Moosheidelbeeren, etc. ; in Italy, Myrtillo ; in 
Russia, Ticherniza, Pjaniza, Goluble, etc.^ 

DISTRIBUTION. 

The genus includes about 125 species of wide geographic dis- 
tribution, extending from the Arctic circle to boreal sub-tropical 
regions, and the high mountains of the tropics ; most common 
in North America and the Himalayas. There are in North 
America proper about twenty-five species and in Mexico and 
Central America as many more. The Himalayan region is par- 
ticularly rich in species many of which are epiphytic. With 
very few exceptions (e. g. erythrinum in Java and emirnense in 
Madagascar) the genus is unrepresented in the southern hemi- 
sphere and in the lower regions of the tropics. 

The most widely distributed species are, perhaps, Myrtilhis 
and uliginosum, which occur in middle and northern Europe, 
Asia (except in the central part from the Himalayas to Thian- 
schan, where all vacciniums are absent), Canada and central 
North America southward to New York and Colorado, and west- 
ward to Alaska. Uliginosum, especially, is confined to northern 
and mountainous regions. Vitis-Idcca, also, has a wide distribu- 
tion somewhat similar to Myrtilhis. It is common in the higher 
woodlands and mountains of mid--!!e and southern Europe, in 
America southward to New England, Lake Superior and British 
Columbia. 

In several places in Germany, as stated by Drude,^ wild 
hybrids between the foregoing species and V. intermedium^ 
Ruthe, are not uncommon. The hybrids have evergreen foliage. 



» Sturtevant, Trans. Mass. Hort. Soc, 1890, 18. 
» Eng. and Prant. Pflanzenfainilien, 4:51. 



Though erythrocarpon, of the southern AUeghanies, is not 
found in the old world, a very, closely allied species, Japonicum, 
is found in central Japan and China — these two species forming 
a unique type intermediate between the blueberries and the cran- 
berries. In Japan Vaccinium is numerous in species, but, with 
the exception of the red fruited V. Japonicum and the black 
ftuited V. ciliatum, they are not very abundant and are mostly 
confined to alpine summits where the species are found which 
in the extreme north encircle the earth ; and blueberries nowhere 
cover the forest floor with the dense undergrowth which is 
common in our northern woods. ^ 

Of the purely American species, the most important ones are : 
in the East, ccespitosum, Canadense, corymhosum, Pennsyl- 
vanicum and vacillans, together with the cranberries, macrocar- 
pon, Oxycoccus and Vitis-IdcBa; in the South, Myrsinites and 
virgatum; in the Northwest, myrtilloides and ovalifolium. 



HISTORICAIv NOTe;s. 

The vacciniums have been strangely overlooked alike by horti- 
culturists and by historians. Pliny, Vergil and Theophrastus 
make brief reference to them; Dodoens,^ in 1578, and Gerarde^ 
and Parkinson in the early part of the seventeenth century give 
brief discussions of several forms. Parkinson says:* "There 
are divers sorts of these low shrubs which must all go under 
the name of Whorts or Whortleberries, although there is much 
difference between them." He then describes nine different 
sorts, the first two being referred to as "Bilberries." 

In America the fruit must have been used extensively by the 
Indians in colonial times, though there are few records of 
such use. Parkinson refers to Champlain who in 1615 found 
the Indians near Lake Huron gathering blueberries for their 
winter store. Kalm speaks of the Indians drying the fruit by 
the sunshine or by the fireside for winter use. Roger Williams 
mentions: "Attitaash (Whortleberries) of which there are 
divers sorts; sweet like currants. . . .Sautaash are these currants- 

^ Sargent, Garr] . & For. 6 :254. 

* Lyte's Dodoens, 670. (1578) 

* Herballe, ed. 2, 1418. (1638) 
*Theatrum Botanicuni, 1459. (1640) 



dried by the natives and so preserved all the year; which they 
beat to powder and mingle it with their parched meal, and make 
a delicate dish which they call Sautauthig, which is as sweet to 
them as plum or spice cake to the English."^ 

Until very recently no attempt has ever been made at improve- 
ment by cultivation. 

USES OF the; fruit. 

As before noted, the records concerning the uses and distribu- 
tion of the vacciniums are meagre. Enough is known, how- 
ever, to indicate that from the earliest times various species have 
been recognized as of value for food or ornament. Plinv^ 
mentions the use of vaccinia to dye the garments of bond-slaves 
to a purple color. 

Dodoens, in 1578, says :^ "With the juyce of them (especially 
of the black kinde) is made a certayne medicine called of the 
apothecaries Rob, the which is good to be holden in the mouth 

against great drieth and thirst in hoat agues Fen or 

Marrische (marsh) Whortes doe also quenche thirste, and are 
good against all evil inflammation or heat of the blood." 

Gerarde also, in 1633, writes:* "The juice of the black 
Whortleberries is boyled till it become thicke and is prepared or 
kept by adding honey or sugar unto it : the apothecaries call it 
Rob, which is preferred in all things before the raw berries 

themselves They be goode for a hot stomacke, they quench 

thirst, and allay the heate of burning agues The people of 

Cheshire do eat the blacke Whortles in creame and milke as in 

these south parts we eat strawberries The Red Whortle 

is not of such a pleasant taste as the blacke, and therefore not 
so much used to be eaten ; but they make the fairest carnation 
color in the World." 

Parkinson, in 1640, quotes Gerarde concerning the medicinal 
value of the "bilberries," and says further:^ "With the juyce 
of the berries Painters do color paper or cards, doe make a kind 



* Roger Williams' Key, 231; cited by Tuckennan, foot note In Josselyn's N. E. 
Rarities, 92. 

2 Lib. 16 cop. 18, citeil by Gerarde, Herballe, ed. 2, 1419. 
« Lyte'9 Dodoens, 670. 

* Herballe, ed. 2, 1419. 

* Tbeatruin Botanicum, 1459. 



of purple blew colour, putting- thereto some allome and Galles, 
whereby they can make it lighter or sadder as they please. And 
some poor folkes, as Tragus sheweth, doe take a potfuli of the 
juyce strained whereunto an ounce of Allome, foure spoonfulls 
of good Wine vinegar, and a quarter of an ounce of the waste 
of the copper forgings, being put together, and boyled all 
together, they put their cloth, wooll, thred, or y^rne therein, 
letting it lye for a good while, which being taken out and hung 
up to dry and afterwards washed with cold water will leave the 
like Turkic blew colour, and if they would have it sadder they 
put thereto in the boyling an ounce of broken Galles." 

As already noted, the most widely distributed member of the 
group is V. Myrtillus, and this species is very generally used as 
an article of diet or in making drinks. In the Orkneys the fruit 
is large and is used for wine.^ The Scotch Highlanders eat the 
berries in milk and "make them into tarts and jellies, which last 
they mix with their whiskey to give it a relish to strangers. "- 
In England they are found in the markets and "are eaten in 
tarts or v/ith cream or made into jelly, "^ while in Poland, 
"mixed with wood strawberries and eaten with new milk they 
are considered a great delicacy."^ In France they are esteemed 
as a fruit and are used for coloring wine.^ 

The berries are also of considerable importance for food in 
Germany, Siberia, and with the Indians of the Rocky Mountains. 

V. uliginosunij after Myrtillus the most widely distributed 
species, has large, juicy, black fruits, which are eatable but not 
agreeable in flavor as ordinarily found, and are commonly 
believed to be unwholesome. Gmelin reports their extensive 
use in Siberia, though there they are believed to promote intoxi- 
cation. It is probable, as is known to be the case with V. Vitis- 
Idcea, that in the far North the quality is better than further 
south. The western Eskimos, according to Seeman, collect the 
berries and freeze for winter use.'' Of the species, Loudon 
says :^ "In France they are used to color wines red; and in 



» Dickson, Pr. Essays Hort. Soc, ser. 2, 7:132, cited by Sturtevant, 1. c. 

2 Lightfoot, Fl. Scot. 1:201, cited by Sturtevant, 1. c. 

3 Loudon, Arb. et Fruit. 2:11J57. 
* Ibid, lloS. 

« Aspelin, Fl. Oecon. 520 (17S4) cited by Sturtevant, 1. c. 

8 Sturtevant 1. c. 

' Loudon, Arb. et Fruit. 2 :1158. 



Siberia and Sweden they furnish an ardent spirit that is highly 
volatile and intoxicating. The leaves are added to Lycopodium 
alpiniim by the Icelanders ; and a yellow dye for coloring wool- 
lens is produced by an infusion of the two plants." 

Of Vitis-Idcea Loudon says ■} "The berries are scarcely to 
be eaten raw, but they are made into pies in Derbyshire, and in 
Sweden a rob or jelly is made from them which is eaten with 
all kinds of roast meat. In Sweden this preserve is also con- 
sidered an excellent medicine in colds, sore throats, and all 
irritations of the mouth or fauces. In Siberia the berries are 
macerated during the autumn and part of the winter in water; 
and afterwards they are eaten in a raw state, and fermented 
along with barley or rye, and a spirit distilled from them ; or with 
honey, and a wine produced. Sweetmeats are also made of 
them with honey or sugar, which in 1 8 14 we found in frequent 
use at Moscow at balls and masquerades. The berries of this 
plant form an important article of commerce in the sea ports 
bordering the Gulf of Bothnia, whence they are sent to the south 
of Europe along with cranberries." 

In the colder parts of North America, and along the coast of 
Maine^ the berries of this species are highly prized for food and 
are esteemed above the common cranberry for jellies and sauces. 

The berries of V. ovalifoUnm are used largely by the natives 
of the Northwest in making a dainty which they call le hrou. 
The berries are gathered before they are quite ripe, pressed into 
a cake, dried and laid by for winter use. "For use a quantity 
is put into a vessel of cold water and stirred rapidly until it 
appears somewhat like soap suds. It is pleasant to the taste, 
with a slightly bitter flavor."^ Funston, in a recent report on 
the flora of Alaska, says concerning this species ;■* "A shrub 
four feet in height, forms a large part of the undergrowth near 
the coast (Yakutat Bay, Alaska). The dark purple berries, 
rather larger than peas, are collected in great quantities by the 
Indians who use them fresh and preserve them for winter, 
drying the fresh berries by artificial heat. In September, imme- 
diatelv after the close of the fishing season, nearlv all the women 



» Arb. et Fruit, 2:1165. 

= Harvey, Trans. Maine Pom. Soc, 1895, .52. 

3 R. Brown, Jr., Bot. Soc, Edinburgh 9:384. 

* Contrlb. U. S. Nat'l Herb. 3:No. 6, cited by Gard. and For. 9:70, (1896). 



and children devote themselves to collecting and drying blue- 
berries for winter." 

Of all the American species used for food, the most important 
.are, perhaps, corymbosum, Pennsylvanicum, Canadense, and 
vacillans. The first of these, the High-bush Blueberry, or 
Swamp Blueberry, or "Huckleberry" of the middle west, is of 
firm texture, good size and excellent flavor. ' The shrub is easily 
transplanted, grows rapidly on any good soil and, more than 
any other species, shows a marked tendency to vary in the size, 
shape and quality of its fruit. It is the natural starting point 
in attempts to add the blueberry to the list of cultivated fruits. 
During the past few years it has received considerable attention 
.as a garden fruit, especially in New England.^ 

The other species named grow mostly on uplands — Pennsyl- 
vanicum especially, on dry sandy "barrens" — and form the bulk 
of the blueberry crop as seen in the cities or at the canning 
factories. 

USE FOR ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. 

Among the plants which lend tone to the landscape in October 
and November by reason of their bright foliage, many of the 
species of Vaccinium may be included, the brilliant red, crimson 
and orange colors often persisting much longer than the bright 
hued leaves of a majority of other plants. 

Of the ornamental species none are more strikingly beautiful 
late in the autumn than the ccjm.mon high bush blueberry — 
V. corymbosum. When well grown it is a stout, thick, spread- 
ing bush eight to ten feet high. The plant is beautiful when in 
flower; the fruit is attractive and of the best quality; and the 
bright scarlet and crimson effects in late autumn, rivalling the 
sumach in brilliancy, are unsurpassed. As an ornamental plant 
the species deserves a place in every garden. 

Pennsylvanicum also brightens waste place.-, for a short time, 
but drops its foliage too earlv to be worthy of planting as an 
tinder shrub. The same is true of Canadense, which is in many 
respects similar. Stamineum (the Deerberry), though early 
deciduous, is attractive when in bloom, and ^'iroughout the 
summer, by reason of its graceful habit. The deerberry is found 



» The Blueberry in Maine, Rep. Me. Ag. Exp. Sta., 189S, 170. 



over a wide range in the northern states and in the mountains 
south. Though usually found on gravelly soil, it will thrive in 
any good garden soil, and it is one of the very few ornamental 
shrubs specially suited for densely shaded situations. Although 
not abundant in our woods, it is not rare and its chaste beauty 
entitles it to a place among valuable native ornamental plants. 

Arhoreum, introduced into the Kew Gardens by John Cree in 
1765, forms an irregular shrub too diffuse and straggling to be 
of value except in masses at the south. Hirsutum, from the 
mountainous regions of North Carolina and Alabama, is as 
beautiful in its autumn coloring as is corymhosum and like that 
species retains its foliage late in the season. Vitis-Idaa and 
uliginosum, with their shining box-like foliage, are effectiye as 
edging for the shrubbery border. Ovatum is characterized by 
Douglas^ as "one of California's most beautiful hedge plants," 
but it has as yet received little attention in cultivation. 

PROPAGATION. 

The spread of any plant in cultivation is, to a large extent, 
dependent upon the activity of progressive nurserymen. If 
these men find a given class of plants difficult of propagation, 
such plants are seldom widely cultivated. In the past one chief 
drawback to the dissemination of the blueberries has been the 
difficulty, or supposed difficulty, of propagation. The few 
nurserymen who have offered them for sale have usually 
depended upon the native heaths and pastures for their supply 
of plants, rather than upon the nursery rows. The results have 
been most discouraging, and the blueberries, though among the 
finest of fruits, are almost unknown in cultivation. 

In the case of the cranberries, propagation is performed almost 
exclusively by cuttings. With the blueberries grafting is easily 
performed and in this way specially choice individuals may 
be perpetuated. For general purposes, however, seedlings or 
division will be used. Propagation by seed naturally requires 
care and skill, but is entirely feasible, and the method may be 
detailed in this connection. At the Arnold Arboretum Jackson 
Dawson has for many years grown seedling blueberries, and his 
method is essentially as follows :^ 



»Garci. ana For. 6:116, (1S93). 
2 Of. Country Gent. 18H5, 660. 



Seed pans or boxes, about four inches deep are half filled with 
potsherds and covered with a layer of sphagnum, after which 
a compost of the following composition is used : one part good 
fibrous peat (upland preferred), one part well rotted pasture 
sod, and one part clean fine sand, free from iron rust. The soil 
is firmed with the hand, or, better, with a mallet. 

The seed, washed free from pulp of freshly gathered fruit, 
is then sowed thickly over the surface, pressed down slightly 
with a board and covered with the slightest possible sprinkling 
of soil. Over this is put a light covering of sphagnum and water 
is applied with a fine rose. The boxes are then placed in a cold 
frame and allowed to get a few hard frosts. About the first of 
January they are brought to a house with a night temperature 
of 55 to 60° and a range of 10° higher by day, watched carefully 
and kept moist but not saturated. As soon as the young seed- 
lings appear, the sphagnum is gradually removed and a small 
quantity of compost sifted in among the plants. 

When the first or second true leaf has expanded, the seedlings 
are pricked out into fresh pans or boxes prepared like the first; 
slight shade is given on bright days and the atmosphere of the 
house kept moist by wetting down the walks. The plants them- 
selves are syringed but slightly, and the temperature is kept as 
even as possible. 

About midsummer the plants are again handled and the same 
treatment as before is continued until about Sept. i, when more 
air and less moisture are given, that the plants may be gradually 
hardened off and later removed to a cold frame for the winter. 
As frost approaches, the frames are protected with mats that the 
foliage may be retained as long as possible. 

After the leaves drop, the frames are covered with a few 
inches of meadow hay, or litter and ileft for the winter ; except 
that the frames are opened once or twice each month to admit 
the air. Early in April a bed, about 18 inches deep, of rich, 
peaty loam is prepared. In this the young plants are set four 
to six inches apart, syringed morning and evening and shaded 
by lath screens during the brightest sunshine until thoroughly 
established. 

By the end of August all water is withheld, that the wood 
may ripen off for winter. At the approach of winter a few 



10 



inches of loam between the plants, to prevent heaving, is the only 
protection required. The following spring, or two years from 
seed, they may be planted out permanently. 

Mr. Dawson has sown seed from September to January and, 
while most of it grew the first season, some delayed until the 
second year and then came up well. Seed that is kept until dry 
and then sown, even in autumn and kept in heat all winter, will 
seldom germinate until the second year. 

Notes from Maine: At the Maine Experiment Station the 
writer has grown several hundreds of seedlings and, while in 
general following the method suggested by Mr. Dawson, has not 
found the extreme attention to details absolutely essential. Our 
practice has been to wash the seed from the pulp soon after har- 
vesting, put it in cloth sacks and stratify in moist sand until early 
the following spring, allowing it to freeze in the meantime. 
Seed pans with liberal provision for drainage, are then filled 
with potting soil, to which is added a considerable portion of leaf 
mold, and the seed is sown as before described. Partly from 
force of circumstances, and partly from design, the seedlings 
were not given the best of care ; but after being handled once 
were, late in the summer, transferred to the cold frame where 
they were simply covered with litter during the winter. The 
following spring they were transplanted into beds, shaded until 
established, and made a good growth during the summer. 
Naturally, however, the better care will produce larger plants 
and, where practicable, should be followed. 

The low blueberry (V. P ennsylvanicum) will usually fruit in 
from three to four years from seed, but V. corymhosuni requires 
four to six years. 

CUIvTiVATlON. 

Within the past quarter of a century various spasmodic 
attempts have been made at the cultivation of the b'ueberrv; 
though probably, as long as the fields and mountain slopes yield 
such an abundant natural supply as at present, this section of 
the genus Vaccinium will not receive the attention, in the way 
of cultivation and improvement; that its importance deserves. 
In the wild state the fruit is certainly more worthy of notice 
than was the blackberry, the raspberry or the currant. 



II 



Some writers have the mistaken notion that blueberries require 
a poor soil. One writer goes so far as to say: "Blueberries 
will not grow in cultivated ground, neither can they be grown 
from cuttings nor can their tips be layered. The only possible 
way to transplant them is to cut a sod from a matted berry patch 
and transplant it into sod ground. An old worn out pasture 
makes the best berry land."^ 

Such a statement hardly needs refuting. There is no doubt 
that the plants will do better if the roots are not too much dis- 
turbed in removal, but the poor sod land is not a requisite to 
successful culture. 

In 1868 a successful amateur attempt at cultivation was made 
by J. W. Scott, Bridgewater, N. Y., but pressure of other work 
finally crowded it out.- 

About 1875, Jackson Dawson, at the Arnold Arboretum, 
Jamaica Plains, Mass., began the culture of blueberries from 
seed, and has demonstrated the possibility of successfully culti- 
vating most of the more common species.^ 

In 1883, and for a few succeeding years. Professor E. S. Gofif 
of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, made some 
attempts at culture, but the work finally yielded to the pressure 
of other duties. A similar fate befell like work at the Michigan 
Agricultural College in 1887. 

In 1886, PVank Ford & Sons, Ravenna, Ohio, offered at least 
three different species of Vaccinium and one Gaylussacia in their 
nursery catalog and said: "This much neglected fruit, which 
is of great value and easy ofi cultivation, ought to be found in 
every fruit garden. Its perfect hardiness and adaptation to all 
kinds of soil, render it as easy of cultivation as any of the small 
fruits, and it can be grown anywhere that corn will grow." 

In 1 89 1 at least three /Vmerican nurserymen offered blue- 
berries for sale,' and in 1893 as many as nine species were on 
the market — though not largely grown. 

In 1898, at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station the 
work was taken up systematically, and is still in progress. 



1 "S. A. H." Rural New Yorker, 1886, 25-.'. 

2 An. Rep. N. Y. Agr. Exp. Sta., 1S83, 287. 

3 Country Gentleman, 1885, 660. 



12 



Several instances oi" the successful and profitable garden 
culture of blueberries are cited in the /\nnual Report of the 
Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, i8g8.^ 

While for the production of improved types it will doubtless 
be necessary to resort to the culture of seedling plants, the length 
of time recjuired for results and the careful attention to details 
in the management of seedlings, is well as the uncertainty of 
results, will restrict such culture tc the experiment stations, or 
to a few enterprising nurserymen. The ordinary fruit grower 
may, however, secure a stock of plants from a neighboring 
pasture or swamp, and by giving the same attention to culture 
which he would give to currants may secure very satisfactory 
results. For this purpose, the high-bush blueberry, V. corym- 
bosnni and its varieties are perhaps the best sorts. They are 
relatively easy to transplant, either from swamp or upland, and 
are of good size and very prolific. The variet}^ avioonum is a 
rather dwarf form with very large berries and grows freely on 
the upland. J\ I'acillans is the next best species for cultivation 
as a "small fruit." 

the; blueberry industry. 

Although from the earliest colonial times the blueberry has 
been highly prized as an article of food, very little attention has 
been given to the systematic exploitation of our resources in this 
direction. 

In many of the northern and eastern states — particularly in 
New England, New York, Michigan and the mountains of Penn- 
sylvania and West Virginia — there are thousands of acres of 
land worthless for agricultural purposes which, after the pine 
is removed, send up an abundant growth of blueberry bushes, 
alders, poplars, grey birches and spirseas. It is believed that by 
proper management these lands may be made to yield a hand- 
some profit to their owners, and furnish employment to a large 
number of people. 

At the present time these lands are, for the most part, con- 
sidered as public property, and irresponsible parties, recognizing 
the fact that the blueberry crop is more abundant on young 
bushes which spring up after a fire, recklessly burn over vast 
areas and destroy valuable forests for their own selfish gain. 



iRep. Maine Agr. Exp. Sta. 189S, 170 



13 

Although very large quantities of fruit are gathered through- 
out the northern and Atlantic states, the industry has been more 
nearly systematized in New England than elsewhere. One 
writer in 1887 states^ that he ships an average of 1,000 bushels 
a year from his farm in New Hampshire and as many more for 
his neighbors. He estimates that on one branch of the Boston 
& Maine Railroad as many as 20,000 bushels are shipped 
annuallv. 




TIIK BLUEBERRY BARRENS. 

In the southeastern part of Maine, there are about 150,000 
acres known as the "blueberry barrens." Much of this land 
was burned over by the- Indians before the colonial period and 
since the removal of the timber from the remainder, it too has 
been repeatedly burned to keep down the growth of birches and 
alders, and to facilitate the harvesting of the fruit. 

About 40,000 acres of the. barrens belong to Mr. William 
Freeman of Cherryfield, Maine, who may properly be regarded 
as the pioneer in the blueberry industry of America. After long 
and bitter litigation he proved beyond question his right to 
charge royalty for all fruit gathered on his lands and estab- 
lished a systematic method of treatment which is applicable, 
under most conditions, everywhere. The method is somewhat 
as follows : - . 



» Country Gentleman, 1S87, .'56.i. 



14 

The land is divided into several tracts, each of which is leased 
to some responsible party who assumes the whole care of burn- 
ing, keeping off trespassers, harvesting and marketing the fruit. 
The owner receives, as rental, one-half cent per quart for all the 
fruit gathered. 

The pickers receive from one and a half to three cents per 
quart ; those who lease the land and haul the fruit to the canning 
factory, or to the station for shipment, one-half to one cent per 
quart, — the rate being determined, in accordance with the 
market values, by the firm which handles the product. The fruit 
is all canned or shipped by one firm which keeps a record of the 
amount as it is brought in, and pays the royalty to the owner. 

Every^ year a certain section of each "lease" is burned over. 
This burning must be done very early in the spring, before the 
soil becomes dry ; otherwise the fire goes too deep, the humus 
is burned from the ground and most of the bushes are killed. 
Many hundred acres on what should be the best part of the 
"barrens" have thus been ruined. The method most commonly 
used in burning a given area, is for the operator to pass around 
the section to be burned, dragging after him an ordinary torch 
or mill-lamp. He then retraces his steps and follows over the 
burned area, setting new fires in the portions which have escaped 
and back-firing if there is danger of spreading unduly over 
areas which it is desired to leave unburned. A device occasion- 
ally used consists of a piece of one-half inch gas-pipe, bent at 
the end at an angle of about 60 degrees. The end opposite the 
bent portion is closed with a cap or plug, and in the other end, 
after filling the pipe with kerosene, is placed a plug of cotton 
waste or tow. This device is by many regarded as superior to 
the lamp or torch, as it is more easily handled. Each section of 
the lease is usually^ burned over every third year. 

By far the largest proportion of the fruit is taken to the fac- 
tories for canning. Early in the season, however, before the 
factories are opened, a considerable amount is shipped to the 
larger cities for use while fresh. This fruit is usually shipped 
in quart boxes, shown in the figure. The blueberries have an 
advantage over other small fruits in that, with the exception of 
currants and gooseberries, they will stand rough handling better, 
and will keep longer than the others. 



15 




A BOX OF BLUP: BERRIES. 

All of the early fruit is picked by hand, and only the ripe 
berries are gathered. Later in the season, particularly on "old 
burns," i. e. on areas which will have to be burned over the next 
year, the fruit is gathered with a "blueberry rake." This is an 
implement somewhat similar to the cranberry rake in use on 
Cape Cod, and may be likened to a dust pan, the bottom of which 
is composed of stiff parallel wire rods. The fruit may be 
gathered much more quickly and more cheaply by means 
of the rake. The bushes are, however, seriously injured 
by the treatment. In no case should the rake be used in gather- 
ing the high-bush blueberries. As the berries are gathered they 
are passed through a fanning mill before being sent to the can- 
ning factory; and again, at the factory, they are submitted to a 
much stronger winnowing. This is usually the only preparation 
necessary. 

Wm. Freeman, Esq., Cherryfield, Maine, may properly be 
regarded as the father of the blueberry industry in America. 
His account of the beginnings of the industry is given herewith. 



i6 

The canning- of blueberries on a commercial scale was begun in 
Maine as early as 1866 when A. L. Stewart of Cherryfield 
packed some of the fruit procured from the neighboring wild 
lands for the Portland Packing Company. J. W. Jones, a 
pioneer in the corn packing industry, was engaged in tlie can- 
ning of blueberries in 1870, as were also William Underwood 
and Company, Jonesport, Maine. 




BLUEBERRY RAKE. 



Before canning the fruit was deemed practicable, "the plains" 
were considered common property and people came for fifty and 
even one hundred miles for a week's outing and to gather blue- 
berries for their own use, and to sell to the merchants of neigh- 
boring cities and villages. The timber on the plains was fast 
being destroyed by fires which were set by the blueberry pickers 
and, in 1870, Mr. Freeman, who owned some forty thousand 
acres of the wild land, decided to charge a small royalty for the 
fruit picked on his lands. Most of the packers paid the small 
amount demanded without question, but the Underwood Com- 
pany refused and after repeated attempts to get them to recog- 
nize his right of property, a suit for trespass was instituted 
by the owner. The trespass continuing, other suits were 
brought and the case was finally. carried to the supreme court 
before it was decided. The final decision was a complete victory 
for Mr. Freeman — a judgment of $1,700 being granted and the 



17 



right of owners of public lands to sell "stumpage" for blueberry 
or other fruits being established once for all. Mr. Freeman's 
action not only benefited other owners of wild lands, as well as 
himself, but it resulted in the perfect system of management 
already detailed. 




A BLUEBERRY CANNING FACTORY. 

The financial importance of the blueberry industry is very 
difficult even to estimate at the present time. In Maine the 
canning of blueberries is largely in the hands of a few leading 
packers. The largest of these factories has a daily capacity of 
700 bushels and the average annual output is 8,300 cases of two 
dozen cans each ; representing 6,250 bushels of fresh fruit. The 
average price per case for the canned fruit is $1.90. In other 
words, the value of the annual product of this one factory is 
not far from $15,000.^ 

There were in 1900 seven factories in Maine which engaged 
in canning blueberries. These were as follows : 

J. and E. A. Wyman, Cherryfield, 

Burnham and Morrill, Harrington, 



' Tliis is the Wvnifln frctory wliicli hnndlcs Mr. Froeimm's fruit. Aswillbe 
.«epn, Mr. Kreeinitn'.s royally will iiiiiount to Sl.oiin, -uml tlii.- from liind which isj 
■otherwise vvorthle^s. 



i8 

L. A. and A. R. Logic, Columbia Falls, 

J. A. Coffin, Columbia Falls, 

A, L. Stewart and Son, Cherryfield, 

lyawrence Bros., Jonesboro, 

L. A. and A. R. Logic, Vanceboro. 

The value of these factories is about $50,000. Those at Jones- 
boro and Vanceboro were erected in 1900. 

The number of hands employed in the various factories would 
aggregate about a hundred, but including the pickers, there are 
from one thousand to two thousand men, women and children 
employed in the blueberry packing industry during the canning 
season. About $30,000 are distributed among the pickers each 
year. 

The total canned product of the "blueberry barrens" in 1899 
was about 50,000 cases and the price per case was $2.20, making 
the value of the blueberry crop in this one small section con- 
siderably more than $100,000. 

In northern Michigan large quantities of fruit are shipped each 
year but there is no systematic management of the blueberry 
lands. The Western Express Company, through the courtesy of 
the Superintendent, Mr. S. A. Davis, records the following ship- 
ment of blueberries in northern Michigan for 1900: Saulte Ste, 
Marie, 650 cases (16 quarts each) ; Sturgeon River, 38 cases; 
Ispheming, 544 cases ; Wetmore, 220 cases ; Marquette, 200 
cases; Seney, 1,719 cases. 

The last season was a very poor one for blueberries in upper 
Michigan, the crop having been largely destroyed by late frost. 
Large quantities are usually shipped from Baraga, whereas none 
were shipped last year. From Wetmore, which reports 220 
cases, the normal shipment is about 3,000 cases, and Sturgeon 
River which reports but 38 cases is usually one of the best ship- 
ping points. 

white; BI^UE^BE^RRItlS. 

White or pinkish fruits, instead of the usual deep blue colored 
berries, are not uncommon in certain localities. In some cases 
these are simply albino forms ; in others the color is due to a 
fungous growth. In the gardens of the Maine Experiment 
Station some of the albino forms are now fruiting, and, aside 
from the color, they are perfectly normal. 



19 



Albino forms of certain species — as V. Myrtillus — were early 
observed. Dodoens, in 1578, mentions "some that beare white 
Berries when they be rype, howbeit they are but seldome seen."^ 
White fruits are catalogued by Ruppius in Flora Jenensis in 
1726, and were found by Gmelin in Siberia in 1768.^ In 1854, 
John Booth of Floetbeck nursery, near Hamburg, Germany, 
offered for sale plants of a white fruited form of V. Myrtillus 
which had been obtained from the Black Forest.^ A white 
fruited form of Vitis-Idcea is also noted as occurring at Lyng- 
dalen in the province of Christiansand in 1761.* 




V. PENXSYLVANICUM, ALBINO. 

White fruited forms of Pennsylvanicum and corymhosuni 
have been observed by the writer ; white vacillans is reported in 



1 Lyte's Dodoens 670. 

2 Cited by Sturtevant/Trans. Mass. Hort. Soc. 1890, 25. 

3 Loudon, Arb. et Fruit; 2:n57. 
*F1. Dan. 1:9. 



20 

Garden and Forest, 1893, and other species are recorded.^ 
Ascherson and Magnus- have made a special study of the color 
and form variations of Vaccinium, and citations are given which 
show the very general distribution of albino forms throughout 
the world. 

No special reason for this difference in color can be assigned. 
The white forms are found growing (usually in colonies) by 
the side of the normal type. If exposed to full sunlight, the 
fruit is very likely to have a blush cheek, or even to be of a 
scarlet color. 

The albino forms must, however, be carefully distinguished 
from the "white berries" caused by the presence of a fungous 
growth. One of these white forms was described in 1859 by 
Doll as V. Myrtilliis var. leucocarpon. But in 1879 Schroeter 
showed that the white color was due to a fungus which he called 
Pesisa baccarum (now Sclerotinia baccarum).^ Ten years 
later Woronin gave a full account of similar white berries found 
by him in Finland on Vitis-Idcea, Oxycoccus and uliginosum, — 
three species which are also common in the United States — and 
of the fungus producing the color.* 

BOTANICAL NOTES. 

Vaccinium (Origin of the name obscure) ; Vacciniacece. 
'Branching shrubs, creeping vines or small trees (sometimes 
epiphytes), with alternate, often coriaceous, evergreen or decid- 
uous, sometimes membranaceous leaves ; flowers small, white, 
pinkish or reddish in lateral racemes or terminal clusters, some- 
times solitary in the axils, mostly nodding on slender bracted 
pedicels and bearing blue black or red berry-like fruits, mostly 
edible. Calyx 4-5 toothed, adherent to the ovary, persistent, 
forming a crown-like appendage to the fruit. Corolla various 
in shape, usually campanulate, cylindraceous or urn-shaped, 
rarely sub-globose, 4-5 toothed or cleft. Stamens distinct, 
included within the corolla tube or exserted ; anthers often 
2-awned at the back, the cells separate and prolonged upward 



1 Garden and Forest 8:503, i\<95). 

2 tJerichte d. deut. Bot. Gesell. lSOO,"3ST-4r)0. 

3 Gard. and For. 2 r.oO, (1S89). 
*>Ieni. Acad. St. Petersburg, 18S8. 



21 



into tubes at the apex, opening by terminal pores or chinks. 
Pistil single, with a 4-5 or 8-10 celled ovary which is glabrous 
or hirsute. Flowers in spring with or before the leaves, berries 
ripe in summer and autumn, sweetish or sometimes acid, mostly 
edible. 

THE NATURAL GROUPS OF SPECIES. 

In making the following natural divisions of the genus I have, 
in general, followed Bentham and Hooker, but have included 
the group Oxycoccus, after Gray in Synoptical Flora. When 
two closely related forms occur over a wide range in latitude, 
the assigned differences are very liable to fail at some point. 

Key to the Groups. 

A. Ovary 4-5 celled (rarely 8-10 celled in Vitis-Idsea). 
B. Stamens exserted 

C. Filaments villous Oxycoccoid^S. 

CC. Filaments puberulent Oxycoccus. 

BB. Stamens included 

C. Filaments glabrous or pubescent Euvaccinium. 

CC. Filaments pilose Vitis-Id^a. 

AA. Ovary locelled (sometimes imperfectly so in Cyanococcus). 
B. Anthers with two awns on the back. . . Batodendron. 
BB. Anthers awnless Cyanococcus. 

OXYCOCCOIDES, B. & H. 

Erect branching shrubs with deciduous membranaceous leaves 
and berries of Bnvaccinium, but with corolla of true Oxycoccus: 
flowers solitary, axillary, on long pedicels, pedicel bractless, but 
minutely 2-bracteolate at the base. V. erythrocarpon 

V. Japonicum 

Oxycoccus. {Oxycoccus, Pers.) Gray. 

Corolla deeply 4-cleft or 4-parted ; the lobes linear or lanceo- 
late-oblong, reflexed ; stamens 8, exserted, anthers awnless, with 
very long terminal tubes ; ovary and berry 4-celled ; flowers, pale 
rose-colored, axillary and terminal, nodding on long filiform 
pedicels ; appearing in early summer ; fruit maturing in autumn. 
C. Stems very slender, creeping. ...... F. Oxycoccus 

CC. Stems stouter, with ascending branches 
. . V. maorocarpon 



22 



EuvACCiNiuM, Gray. 

Corolla ovate to globular, more or less urceolate, 4-5 toothed, 
rose or white ; filaments glabrous ; anthers 2-awned, included ; 
ovary and berry 4-5 celled with no false partitions ; leaves decid- 
uous ; flowers drooping, solitary or 2 or 4 together, developing 
with or soon after the leaves. 

C. Corolla commonly 4-lobed ; stamens 8 V. nh'ginosum 

CC. Corolla commonly 5-lobed; stamens 10. 
D. Plants dwarf, a foot or less high. 

E. Branches not angled V. ccespitosum 

Ef^. Branches sharply angled V. Myrtillus 

DD. Plants taller, 1—12 feet high. 

E. Margins of leaves sharply serrulate. 

V. myrtiUoides 
EE. Margins of leaves entire (except in ovali- 
JoUum) . 
F. Size of leaves }-2 in. long. 

V. ovalifoli'um 
FF. Size of leaves H-H in. long. 

V. parvifoUum 
V. Mortinia 

ViTis-Idaea (Koch.) Gray. 

Corolla cylindraceous, ovate, or globose-campanulate, more or 
less urceolate, rose or nearly white, 4-5 lobed, stamens included, 
filaments hairy; anthers awnless (or with short awns) ; leaves 
coriaceous and persistent ; flowers in short racemes or clusters 
from separate buds ; bracteate and 2-bracteolate. 

C. Ovary 5-celled ; stamens 10. 

D. Branchlets pubescent V. ovatum 

DD. Branchlets glabrous V. crassifolium 

CC. Ovary 4-celled ;, stamens 8. 

D. Branches short (3-4 in.) from creeping stems 

V. Vitis-Idaea 
Batodendron, Gray. 

Corolla open-campanulate, 5 lobed ; anthers tipped with long 
slender tubes, and 2-awned on the back; ovary and (hardly edi- 
ble) berry falsely lo-celled ; leaves rather firm in texture but 
deciduous ; flowers axillary and solitary or in leafy-bracted 
racemes, slender pedicelled, bractlets minute or none. 

C. Anthers included V. arboreum 

CC. Anthers exserted V. stamineum 



2-', 



CyanococcuSj Gray. 

Corolla cyjindraceous to campanulate-oblong or ovoid, 5- 
toothed ; filaments hairy ; anthers awnless, included ; ovary and 
berry more or less lo-celled by false partitions; berry blue or 
black, usually with bloom, edible, many seeded ; flowers, short 
pedicelled, (white or rose) in fascicles or very short racemes, 
developed with or a little before the leaves ; buds separate, large, 
scaly ; bracts and bractlets caducous or deciduous. 
C. Foliage evergreen, coriaceous. 

D. Calyx-teeth roundish and very dense. V. nitidum 

DD. Calyx- teeth acute V. Myrsinites 

CC. Foliage deciduous (sometimes tardily so in southern 
forms) . 

D. Corolla cylindraceous V. Virgatum 

DD. Corolla short and usually broad. 

E. Branchlets hirsute V. Jiirsutum 

EE. Branchlets glabrous or glaucous (except in 
V. Canadense). 
F. Leaves glaucous and pale beneath. 

V. vacillans 
FF. Leaves strongly pubescent both sides. 

Vi Canadense 
and var. atrococcxim of corymbosum 
FFF. Leaves glabrous, often hairy on mid- 
rib beneath. 
. C Margin of leaves bristly-serru- 
late. 
H. Fruit mostly blue. glaucous. 
V. Pennsylvanicum 
HH. Fruit black. . . V. nigrum 
GC Margin of leaves entire or at 
most ciliate. V. corymbosum 

A HORTlCUIvTURAI, CLASSII^ICATIGN. 
As already indicated, the genus under consideration includes 
many species of particular importance as food plants, others 
which are useful only for ornament, and some which are valuable 
for both purposes. The following key to the more commonly 
known species is based upon leading horticultural characters. 



24 

A. Cultivated chiefly for fruit. 

B. Color of fruit red. 

C. Stems slender, trailing ; leaves evergreen. 

D. Apex of leaves acute Oxycoccus^ 

DD. Apex of leaves obtuse or refuse. 

macrocarpon 

CC. Stems stouter though creeping ; branches erect, 

tufted Vitis-Idaea 

CCC. Stems erect, much taller (2-10 feet). 

D. Leaves small (>^-/i inch long). 

jyarviJoUum 
BB, Color of fruit blue or black. 

C. Platit low, >2-3 feet high. 

D. Foliage evergreen. 

E. Leaves small (M-^ inch long) . 

oiitidum- 

EE. Leaves larger (K-1 inch long). 

Myrsinites 
DD. Foliage deciduous. 

E. Surface of leaves glabrous. 

F. Leaves pale beneath, not 
shining above . . . , vacillans 
\2a' . loalUdum of corymbostim 
FF. Leaves not paler beneath (ex- 
cept sometimes in Pennsyl- 
vanicum) ; shining, at least 
above. 
G. Flowers solitary in the 
axils. 
H. Branches sharply 
angled. 

Myrtillus- 
HH. Branches not 
angled. 

ccBspitosum 

GG. Flowers in fascicles or 

short racemes. 

H. Fruit blue, glaucous 

Pen7isylvanicum. 

HH. Fruit black. 

iiigrum 



25 

EE. Surface of the leaves hairy. 

F. Ovary and fruit glaucous. 

Canadense 

FF. Ovary and fruit hirsute. 

hirsutum 
CC. Plant taller (3—12 feet), spreading. 
D. Flowers solitary in axils. 

E. Leaves sharply serrate .. m^/^■^t7?o^■des 
EE. Leaves entire or slightly serrulate 

ovalifoUum 
DD. Flowers in racemes or corymbs. 

E. Racemes elongated on naked 

branches virgatum 

EE. Racemes shorter corymhosum 

AA. Cultivated chiefly for ornament. 
B. Plants low, 1 — 2 feet high. 

C, Stems creeping, with branches erect or as- 
cending. 
D. Leaves small, shining crassifoUum 

DD. Leaves larger, pale or glaucescent. 

uliginosum 

CC. Stems erect ; twigs red erythriniim 

BB. Plants taller, 2-20 feet high. 

C. Foliage evergreen, rigid ovatum 

CC. Foliage deciduous. 

D. Surface shining above, more or less 

pubescent beneath o.rboreum 

DD. Surface paler above, glaucous beneath. 

stamineum 
DDD. Surface bright green both sides. 

erythrocarpon 

THE MOST IMPORTANT SPECIES. 

V. Oxycoccus, L. (Small Cranberry) 

Linnaeus, Sp. PL 351, 1753- 

(Synonyms: Oxycoccus palustris, Pers., Syn. PI. 1:419; 
Oxycoccus vulgaris, Pursh. Fl. i : 263.) 

Slender creeping plants with short (4-10 inch) filiform stems, 
leaves ovate, acute or acuminate, 34 ii^ch long, with revolute 



26 



margins ; pedicels 1-4, terminal ; corolla deeply 4-parted, the lobes 
reflexed ; anthers exserted, with very long terminal tubes ; berry 
red, globose, /4-/^ inch in diameter, 4-celled. (Figured: 
Sowerby, Eng. Bot. ed. i, 5:319; Schlecht., Fl. von Deutch. 
20:2039; Reich., Icon. Fl. Germ. 17, t. 1169.) — Sphagnous 
swamps, Europe, north and middle Asia, North America, Green- 
land to Japan mostly in sub-arctic and alpine regions, Newfound- 
land to Alaska and southward to mountains of Pennsylvania, 
common on rocky islands along the coast of Maine. The cran- 
berry of the old world. It is distinguished from the next species, 
the American Cranberry, by its very small pointed leaves, rarely 
^ inch long, and by the short ovate segments of the corolla as 
well as by the terminal inflorescence. Though smaller, its fruit 
is by many considered superior to^ that of the next. 

V. macrocarpon, Ait. (Larger American Cranberry) 
Alton, Hort. Kew, 2: 13, 1789. 

(Synonyms: V. oxycoccus var. ohlongifolius, Michx. Fl. Bor. 
Am. 1 : 228; Oxycoccus macrocarpus, Pursh. Fl. i : 263.) 

Stems slender, creeping, elongated (1-4 feet), the flowering 
branches ascending; leaves oblong or oval, obtuse or retuse, 
yz-y2 inch long; whitened beneath; pedicels several, axillary and 
lateral ; berry red or reddish, globose or pyriform, J^-i inch long. 
(Figured: Ait. Hort. Kew, ed. i, 2: 13, t.7; Bot. Mag. t.2586; 
Emerson, Trees and Shrubs of Mass., ed. 5, 2 : 456 ; Meehan, 
Flowers and Ferns 2 : 28 ; Wein, III. Gart. Zeit. i : 81 ; as Oxy- 
coccus macrocarpus Bart. Fl. i, t.17.) — Peat bogs, Newfound- 
land to North Carolina and westward. 

This is the common large fruited cranberry, under cultivation 
in Massachusetts, New Jersey and elsewhere. 

V. Vitls-Idaea, L- (Cowberry, Mountain Cranberry, Foxberry) 

Linnaeus, Sp. PI. 351, 1753- 

(Synonyms: V. Punctatiim, Lam. Fl. Fr. 3 : 396 ; V. puncti- 
foliuni, Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. 2 : 363 ; V. buxifolvum, Gillb. Fl. 
Lituan. 1:4; V. nemorosum, Salisb. Prod. 291.) 

Plants low (6-10 inches) ; branches erect from tufted creeping 
stems ; leaves coriaceous, persistent, obovate or oval, ^-^ inch 



2'J 

long, dark green and shining above, with blackish bristly points 
l3eneath ; flowers in short terminal racemes ; corolla white or rose- 
colored, 4-cleft; berries dark red, acid, rather bitter. (Figured: 
Fl. Dan. t.40; Lodd., Bot. Cab. t.6i6 (as var. "major"); Bot. 
Cab. 1023 (var. "minor").) Arctic regions of Europe, Asia 
and Greenland to Japan; south to- the coast of New England, 
Minnesota and British Columbia. 

A low, evergreen, shrubby plant which grows in cold and 
•elevated situations in the northern parts of both hemispheres. 
The blossoms are very delicate and the fruits, which are rather 
larger than currants, acid and somewhat bitter when uncooked, 
are largely used in the more northern regions for tarts, jellies 
and preserves, or as a substitute for the common cranberry. 
According to Macoun (Gard. and For. 2: 508), the fishermen's 
families along the Gaspe coast and the north shore of the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence, gather the fruit of this species in large quanti- 
ties, for their own use and for sale, calling it "Low-Bush Cran- 
iDcrry." Throughout the whole of northern Canada, hunters and 
trappers, as well as the native Indians, have frequently to depend 
upon it for food. 

The plant spreads rapidly, is hardy and requires no special 
care. It is valuable for the shrubbery border where the strong 
contrast of the dark green foliage and the bright colored per- 
sistent fruit is verv strikine. 



V. parvifolium, Smith. 

Smith in Rees Cycl. no. 13, 1817 ; Gray S3'n. Fl. 2 : 24. 

Shrub 6-12 feet high, straggling; with slender, green, sharply 
angled branches ; leaves oblong or oval, obtuse, entire, dull or 
pale, }i-}i inch long; flowers solitary in the axils, corolla globu- 
lar, nearly white, calyx 5-lobed ; berries light red, rather dry. 
(Figured: Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. t.128.) — ^Shady and low woods, 
northern California, near the coast to Alaska. 

A somewhat straggling shrub, offered for sale by one nursery- 
man. Of interest rather than of special merit. T. J. Howell of 
Oregon characterizes the fruit as "of good flavor, excellent for 
tarts," while Gray, says "rather dry, hardly edible." 



28 



V. erythrocarpon^ Micbx. 

Michaux, Fl. Bor. Am. i : 227, 1803. 

(Synonyms: Oxycoccus erectus, Pursh, Fl. 1:264; O. ery- 
thro carpus, Elliott, Sketches i, 447.) 

Shrub, erect, divergently branching 1-4 feet high; leaves 
oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, serrate, thin, lyi-Z inches long;; 
pedicels solitary, axillary, bractless ; corolla flesh-colored, Yz inch 
long, 4-cleft, revolute, berries globose, 3^ inch in diameter, light 
red, turning to deep blue-black at full maturity, watery, slightly- 
acid, "of exquisite flavor," Don. (Not usually regarded as val- 
uable.) {Figured: Bot. Mag. t.7413; (as Oxycoccus erectus) 
Wats. Dendrol. Brit, i, t.31) — Damp woods, higher Alleghanies- 
Virginia to Georgia, July. 

A remarkable species in that it combines the flower structure 
of the Oxycoccus group wth the erect habit and foliage character 
of the other vacciniums. The specific name is somewhat mis- 
leading since, when mature, the fruit is similar to the blueberries,, 
though without the disitinct crown of the persistent calyx, found 
in other vacciniums. 

The species was introduced into England in 1806 by Loddiges, 
but has been cultivated only in botanic gardens. 

A closely allied species, V. Japonicum, Miquel., (Miq. Ann. 
Mus. Bot. Eugd. Bot. i : 28, 1863 ; Maximowicz, Diagnoses PL 
nov. Jap. et Mand., in Bui. Acad. Sci. St. Petersburg 8 : 603,. 
1871) is found in central and northern Japan, but has not been 
introduced into cultivation. 

V, nitidum, Audr. 

Andrews, Bot. Rep. t.480, 1805. 

A diffusely much branched shrub, with smooth branchlets,. 
leaves thick coriaceous, shining above, obovate or oblong; 
flowers in fascicles on short racemes ; the almost persistent bracts 
as well as the roundish or obtuse calyx-teeth reddish ; corolla 
short campanulate, 5-toothed ; berry "somewhat pear-shaped,, 
black." {Figured: Bot. Rep. t.480.) — Low pine barrens,. 
Florida and Georgia. (Near to or passing into Myrsiniies). 



29 



V. Myrsinites, Lam. 

Lamarck, Encyc. i : 73, 1783. 

{Synonym: V. nitidum var. decumhens, Sims, Bot. Mag. 

^550-) 

Low evergreen shrub, erect or decumbent; branches, when 

young, puberulent; leaves exceedingly variable, oblong-lanceo- 
late and acute to obovate and obtuse, ]/[-i inch long, entire or 
serrulate, sometimes denticulate, mostly shining above; bracts 
and calyx-teeth acute or acutish ; berries "globose, blue." 
{Figured: (as V. nitidwn var. dectmibens) Bot. Mag. t.1550) 
— Sandy pine barrens. North Carolina to Florida and Louisiana. 

The difference between this species and the preceding is 
obscure. The chief points of distinction seem to be that 
Myrsinites has puberulent branchlets, prominently veined leaves 
and acute calyx-teeth and bracts; while nitidum has smooth 
branchlets, smaller and faintly veined leaves, with obtuse or 
roundish calyx-teeth and bracts. 

The species is grown as a pot plant in cool houses in England 
under the name of V. Sprengelii. (Card. Chron. n. s. 19:473, 
1883). 

V. vacillans, Kalm, (Low Blueberry, Blue Huckleberry) 

Kalm in Herb. Banks ; Torr., Fl. N. Y., i : 444, 1843. 

{Synonyms: V. vacillans Solander, Gray, Man. ed. i, 261 ; 
V. virgatum Bigelow, Fl. Bost., ed. 2, 152; V. Pennsylvanicum 
Torr., Fl. N. U. S. i : 416, in part.) 

Erect, glabrous, with pale yellowish-green branchlets; leaves 
obovate or oval, entire or sparingly serrulate ; flowers in rather 
loose clusters, generally on leafless summits of twigs ; corolla 
campanulate or cylindraceous, contracted at the mouth ; berries 
large, blue, with much bloom, of excellent flavor, ripening with 
V. Canadense. {Figured: Emerson, Trees and Shrubs of 
Mass., ed. 5, 454.) — Dry, sandy or rocky places, Maine to North 
Carolina, westward to Michigan and Missouri. 

One of the most common species of the northern and central 
states, particularly west of the Alleghanies. The flowers, on 
terminal and lateral naked branchlets, yellowish white, often 
tinged with red, are quite showy ; while the fruit is particularly 



30 

valuable. The only form it is likely to be confused with is 
variety pallidum oi coryinbosum and from this it is distinguished 
by the veins and ribs of its leaves being perfectly smooth. Well 
worthy the attentio?i of cultivators. 

V. Myrtillos, (Whortleberry, Bilberry) 
Linnsus, Sp. PI. 350, 1753. 

(Synonym: V. myrtilloides, Watson, Bot. King Exp. 209, not 
of others.) 

Low shrubs, glabrous ; leaves ovate or oval, serrate, con- 
spicuously veined, /^-/^ inch long; calyx almost entire; berries 
black, nodding. {Figured: Reichenb., Ic. Fl. Germ. 17:118, 
t.1169; Eng. Bot., ed. i, 7:456; Schlecht., Fl. von Deutch. 
20:2036; Twin. 111. Nat. ord. 2:83.) — Mountainous regions 
Alaska to Colorado and Utah ; Europe, Asia. 

The most widely distributed species and very generally used as 
an article of diet and in the making of drinks, particularly in the 
old world. It is from this species that the common name whor- 
tleberry is derived, as stated elsewhere. Not of special import- 
ance in America. 

V. caespitosum^ Michx., (Dwarf Bilberry) 
Michaux, Fl. Bor. Am. i : 234, 1803. 

A very dwarf tufted shrub, 2-12 inches high; nearly glabrous 
throughout ; leaves obovate, obtuse or acutish, serrulate, shining 
on both sides ; flowers solitary, corolla obovoid, pink or white, 
slightly 5-toothed (rarely 4-toothed) ; berries large, globose, blue 
with bloom, sweet. {Figured: Bot. Mag. t.3429.) — Hudson's 
Bay and Labrador to Maine and New Hampshire, also alpine 
summits of Adirondacks ; in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado and 
Utah to Alaska, east to Lake Superior. 

It is doubtful if varieties can be distinguished. Var. arbus- 
cula, Gray, passes into the ordinary form ; while angustifolium, 
Gray, and cuneifolium, Nutt., are found to be simply forms pro- 
duced by shade. The latter form, particularly, is common in 
New England and early in the season the leaves are of the ordi- 
nary obovate type, while later they, become elongated. 



31 

A boreal or Canadian species of rather limited distribution in 
the East, common in Maine north of latitude 44° 50' ; not found 
in Labrador north of latitude 54°. York, Maine, is the most 
southern station known. It is generally regarded as a plant of 
the highest alpine summits in New England, but it is not uncom- 
mon in other localities throughout central and northern Maine. 
It is abundant at Orono, and Fernald has found that "in the val- 
leys of the Penobscot and its tributaries, the Piscataquis, the 
Mattawamkeag, and the Wassataquoik, the plant is to be found 
on almost any ledgy or gravelly riverbank." Most abundant in 
the valley of the upper St. John. 

V. Pennsylvanicum, Lam. (Low Blueberry) 
Lamarck, Encyc. i : 72, 1783. 
{Synonyms: V. myrtilloides, Michx., Fl. Bor. Am. i : 223 ; V. 
tenellwm, Pursh, Fl. 1:288 and Bigel. Fl. Bost. 150, not Ait; 
V. angiistifolmm, Ait., Hort. Kew, ed. 2, 2:356; V. multi- 
Horium, Dunal in D. C. Prod. 7 : 572 ; V. salicinum, Aschers. 
Flora, i860, 369, not Cham. ; V. multiUorum, Wats. Dendr. Brit. 
t.125 ( ?) ; V. ramulosum and humile Willd. Enum. Suppl. 

20(?).) 

A dwarf shrub (6-15 inches) with slender greenish, warty, 
mostly glabrous branches ; leaves membranaceous, oblong-Ian- , 
ceolate or oblong, distinctly serrulate with bristle-pointed teeth, 
mostly shining on both sides but often hairy on midrib beneath ; 
flowers on short pedicels ; corolla campanulate-cylindrical, short ; 
berries large, globose, bluish-black with bloom, sweet ; the earli- 
est to ripen north. {Figured: Bot. Mag. t.3434 ; Emerson, Trees 
and Shrubs of Mass., ed. 5, 2:456; (photo.) Rep. Maine Agr. 
Exp. Sta. 1898, 171.) — Dry hills and woods Newfoundland and 
the Saskatchewan southward to New Jersey and Illinois. 

Var. angustifolium, Gray, (Man. ed. i, 261) A dwarf form, 
with more decidedly lanceolate leaves. V. angustifolium, Ait. 
I. c, V. salicinum, Aschers, 1. c, not Cham. Summits of moun- 
tains northern New York and New England, Quebec to north 
shore of Lake Superior and northward. 

This species is extremely variable in size and shape of fruit 
and flowers, but yvith the exception of the variety noted, and the 
black fruited form often associated with it, which is set off as 



z^ 



V. nigritm, the variations do not appear sufficient!}^ constant to 
warrant making separations. In general, the plant is of low, 
semi-prostrate habit, is extremely prolific and thrives on dry 
sandy hills. It furnishes the bulk of the blueberries found in the 
eastern markets. When mown down or burned, the new erect 
shoots produce, the following year, a long spike-like mass of 
bloom and fruit which may be stripped off by handfuls. 
Because of its character, and early ripening habit, it is known on 
the blueberry plains as "early sweet" or "low sweet." 




V. PEXSSYLVANICUM. 



V. nigrum^ Britten, (Low Black Blueberry) 

Britton, Mem. Torr. Club 5 : 252, 1894. 
{Synonym: V. Pennsylvanicum var. nigrum, Wood, Bot. and 
Flor. 199, 1873.) 



33 



Low shrub, similar to V. 
Pennsylvanicum and often 
associated with it. Leaves 
oblong-lanceolate to obovato, 
finely serrulate, green above, 
pale and glaucous beneath ; 
flowers few in the clusters, 
white or cream colored, ap- 
pearing earlier than those of 
Pennsylvanicum ; berries 
rather small, black without 
bloom. (Figured: (photo.) 
Rep. Maine Exp. Sta., 1898, 
171.) — Dry rocky soil, 
Maine to New Jersey, west- 
ward to Michigan. 

The species is distin- 
guished from the preceding 
by the glaucous under sur- 
faces of the leaves and by the 
characteristic shining, black 
fruit. It is usually found in 
colonies in the same situa- 
tions as Pennsylvanic%im; 
but occasionally the two 
species will be found intermingled. 




V. NIGRUM. 



V. Canadense, Richards. (Canada Blueberry) 

(Named by Kalm in Herb Leche, now in Herb Banks ; Rich- 
ardson, in Frankl. ist Jour. ed. 2, App. p. 12; Hooker, Fl. Bor. 
Am. 2:32. Synonym: V. album. Lam. Encyc. 1:73, not L.) 

Erect shrubs, 1-2 feet high, the crowded branchlets downy- 
pubescent; leaves oblong-lanceolate or elliptical, entire, downy 
both sides ; corolla short, open-campanulate, greenish-white, 
often tinged with red ; berries globose or oblate, blue with much 
bloom, of excellent flavor. {Figured: Bot. Mag. t.3446.) — 
Low woods, Hudson's Bay to Bear Lake and the northern Rocky 
Mountains; south to New England, mountains of Pennsylvania 
and Illinois. 

3 



34 



This species, commonly known as "sour top" or "velvet leaf" 
because of the character of its foliage and the somewhat acid 
fruit, usually grows in rather moist, rocky, not swampy locali- 
ties. The fruit is larger and more acid than the other low forms 
and matures from one to three weeks later. It is not so popular 
in the general market as the sweeter kinds, but it is very prolific 
and its lateness in ripening is a point in its favor. 




V. CANADENSB. 



V. hirsuturr, lluckley, (Hairy Blueberry, Bear Huckleberry) 

Buckley, Am. Jour. Sci. 45: 175, 1843; Sargent, Gard. & For. 

2:365- 
Low shrub, 1-2 feet high, the stems green, grooved, obscurely 
4-angled, thoss of the current year covered with stout, spreading, 
white hairs; leaves ovate, entire and, together with the pure 



35 

white, campanulate, corolla, the calyx and the dark blue globose 
fruit, hirsute. (Figtired: Gard; and For. 2: 365.) — Mountains 
•of Cherokee County, North Carolina, (Buckley, Sargent) ; Tal- 
lulah Falls Caiion, Georgia, (J. K. Small) ; Cade's Cove Moun- 
tains, Tennessee, (A. Ruth). 

This species, discovered about 1840 by B. S. Buckley "in the 
mountains of Cherokee County," North Carolina, was lost sight 
■of for half a century until re-discovered by Sargent at Robbins- 
ville, Graham County, North Carolina in 1887, when it was 
transferred to the Arnold Arboretum. Practically nothing is 
known of its geographical distribution or habitat. It is readily 
■distinguished, however, by the hairy flower and fruit. 

The fruit is described as fully as large as that of Gaylussocia 
resinosa, shining black, and of an agreeable flavor. Under culti- 
vation not so densely hairy as in the wild state. Gives promise 
■of being valuable under cultivation as one of the latest of its kind 
to ripen, — at the Arnold Arboretum the best period of fruitage 
being the middle of August, berries remaining into September. 
It is probable that good results might be obtained by hybridizing 
■with V. corymbosuni or V. Canadciise. 

V. myrtilloides, Hook. (Gray). 

Gray, Man., ed. 5, 291 ; Syn. Fl. 2: 24, not Michx. 

(Synonym: V. membranaceum, Douglas ined.) 
An erect branching shrub mostly glabrous throughout, the 
twigs slightly angled ; leaves oval, oblong or ovate, acute, serrate, 
membranous, green both sides but not shining, 1-2 in. long: 
calyx entire; corolla depressed-globular, yellowish or greenish 
white ; berries large, oblate, black, rather acid. (Figured: Bot. 
Mag. t.3447.) Moist woods. Lake Superior to the coast of 
Oregon and British Columbia, 

The berries are large >^-^ inch, oblate, with broad calyx; of 
excellent flavor; much relished by the natives of the northwest. 
(Howell, in Case Bot. Index, 1881, 38.) 

V* ovalifolium, Smith. 
Smith, in Rees Cycl. no. 2, 1817; Hook, Fl. Bor. Am. 2:33. 
A slender, straggling, branched shrub 3-12 feet high, with 
slender, more or less angled branchlets ; leaves oval, obtuse, glab- 
rous, green above, glaucous beneath ; flowers solitary, on short 



36 

recurved pedicels, corolla globose-ovoid; berry large (ys-yz 
inch) bluish-purple, with bloom. (Figured: Hook. Fl. Bor. 
Am. 2:33, t.127) — Woods, Quebec to Michigan, Oregon and 
Alaska. 

This species is very abundant in the northwest, forming a 
large part of the undergrowth along the southern coast of 
Alaska, (Funston) ; but, like many other plants of a similar 
range it extends eastward through the region of the Great Lakes 
and the St. Lawrence River. The berries, rather larger than 
peas, are collected in great quantities by the Indians who use them 
fresh and dry them for winter. The exceptionally large berries 
and vigorous habit of this species suggest its value for cultiva- 
tion and particularly for crossing with the low. growing species 
such as P ennsylvanicum and Canadense. 

V* vifgatum, Ait. 
Aiton, Hort. Kew, ed. i, 2: 12, 1789. 

(Synonyms: V. ligustrinum, Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept., i : 288, 
not L. ; V. fuscatum Ker., Bot. Reg. t.302 ( ?) ; V. BUiottii, 
Chapm., Fl. So. U. S. 260.) 

A shrub 3-12 feet high, with slender, green branches, the 
young twigs puberulent; leaves narrowly oval-oblong, acute, 
often mucronate, entire or minutely serrulate, green and glab- 
rous above, pale or glaucous beneath, %-2 inches long ; flowers in 
short racemes on naked twigs ; appearing before the leaves ; 
bracts small, deciduous.; corolla nearly cylindrical, white or pink ; 
berry black with or without bloom. (Figured: Bot. Rep. t.i8i ; 
Bot. Mag. t.3522; (as V. ftiscatum) Bot. Reg. t.302.) — Swamps, 
southern Virginia to Florida and Louisiana. 

Var. tenellum (Ait.) Gray, (Syn. Fl. 2:22). A low form, 
mostly less than 2 feet, with smaller leaves and nearly white 
flowers in short close clusters. (V. tenellum^ Ait. 1. c, not 
Pursh ; V. galesans Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. i : 232 ; V. galiformis. 
Smith, Rees' Cycl. no. 16) — Southern Virginia to Arkansas, 
Florida and Alabama. Probably a distinct species. 

The distinction between this species and the next is very slight. 
It is probable that, possibly excepting var. tenellum, this is only 
a southern form of corymbosttm and should be reduced to 
varietal rank, following Don (Gard. Diet. 3 : 854). 



37 



V» corymbosum^ L. (High-bush Blueberry, Swamp Huckleberry) 

Linnaeus, Sp. PL 350, i753- 

{Synonym: V. disomorphum, Michx., Fl. Bor. Am. i : 223.) 
A tall, straggling shrub 4-12 feet high, with yellowish-green, 
warty, branchlets which later turn brownish; leaves ovate or 
oblong to elliptical-lanceolate, usually entire ; flowers in short 
racemes on naked twigs ; corolla ovate to urn-shaped, or oblong- 
cylindrical, white or pinkish; berries blue-black with much 
bloom, of excellent flavor. (Figured: Emerson, Trees and 




V. CORYMBOSUM. 



Shrubs, ed. 5, 2:454; Am. Ag. 1886, 364.) — Moist woods or 
swamps, Newfoundland and Canada to Michigan and Minne- 
sota; through eastern United States to Louisiana; rather rare 
in the Mississippi .valley. Exceedingly variable, and numerous 
gradations unite the several varieties. 



38 

Var. amoenum, Gray, (Man., ed. 5, 292), a form with 
bristly-ciliate, serrulate leaves, bright green both sides, shining 
above, often pubescent on veins beneath. (V. amcenum, Ait., 
Hort. Kew., ed. i, 2: 12; Bot. Rep. t.138; Twin. 11 1. Nat. Ord, 
2 : 83, 6; Bot. Reg. 400. Figured, as V. corymbosum, Bot. Mag. 
t-3433-) Mainly in the Middle Atlantic States. 

Var. pallidum, Gray, 1. c, a pale and glaucous or glaucescent 
form, with or without some pubescence ; ovary more completely 
inferior, generally low ; otherwise resembling amcenum. (V. pal- 
lidum, Ait. 1. c. ; Gray, Man. ed. i, 262. V. alhiUorum, Hook,. 
Bot. Mag. t.3428. V. Constahlcei, Gray, Am. Jour. Sci. 42: 42). 
Common in mountainous regions southward. 

Var. fuscatum. Gray, (Syn. Fl. 2:23), a tall form with the 
mature and entire leaves fiiscous-pubescent beneath ; flowers 
virgately somewhat spicate on the naked flowering twigs. (V. 
fuscatum. Ait., 1. c.) Alabama and Florida to Louisiana and 
Arkansas. 

V. corymbosum is one of the most valuable species both for 
fruit and as an ornamental shrub. It thrives in the garden and 
is readily susceptible of improvement by cultivation. Toward 
the south it approaches V. virgatum, Ait., and var. pallidum may 
be confused with V. vacillans, Kalm. 



V. atfococcum, Heller, (Black Blueberry) 
Heller, Torr. Buh. 21:24, 1894.. 

(Synonyms: V. disomorphum, Bigel. Fl. Bost., ed. 2, 151, not 
Michx. ; V. corymbosimi var. atrococcum, Gra)'', Man., ed. 5, 
292.) 

A branching shrub with shreddy bark, similar to V. corym- 
bosum. Leaves oval or oblong, dark green above, densely 
pubescent beneath, entire, acute, often mucronate ; flowers in 
short racemes, appearing with the leaves ; berry black without 
bloom, sweet. Moist woods and swamps, Canada to Pennsyl- 
vania and New Jersey. 



39 



V. crassifolium, Anclr. 
Andrews, Bot. Rep. t.105, 1798. 

(Synonyms: V. carnosnvi^ Pers. Syn. PI. 1:479; ^- '^nyrti-' 
folium, Michx. Fl. i : 228.) ' 

Slender, trailing shrub ; stems 2-3 feet long, glabrous ; leaveij 
small, /4-/^ inch long, oval or narrowly oblong, sparsely serru- 
late or entire, shining; flowers few, almost sessile, in small 
axillary clusters, nearly white, or tinged with red ; berries black. 
(Figured: Bot. Rep. t.105; Bot. Mag. t.1152.) — Sandy bogs, 
near the coast. North Carolina to Georgia. 

Useful for the shrubbery border, south. 

V. uliginosum^ L. (Bog Bilberry ) 
Linnaeus, Sp. PI. 350, 1753. 

(Synonym: V. gaulthcrioidcs, Bigel. New Eng. Med. Jour. 

5:3350 

A stiff, much branched shrub ^^-2 feet high ; leaves thick, 
obovate or oval, obtuse or retuse, ]/>-! inch long, nearly sessile; 
flowers 2-4 together, or sometimes solitary ; calyx 4-parted, 
sometimes 5-parted ; corolla urn-shaped, 4 or 5-lobed, pink ; 
stamens 8-10; berries bluish-black with bloom. (Pigiired: Fl. 
Dan. t.231 ; Reichenb. Ic. Germ. 17, t,ii68; Sowerby, Eng. Bot. 
6:878 (Ibid. ed. i, 9:581); Deakin, Flor. Brit. 2, 19, 630; 
Schlecht., Flor. Deutch. 20:2037; Pratt, Fl. PI. 3:351.) — 
Labrador to New England ; mountainous regions of New York ; 
Lake Superior to Alaska. Also in northern Europe and Asia. 

Usually considered a high mountain species, but found by the 
writer on the blueberry barrens of eastern Maine and reported 
as abundant along the ledgy shores of the Carrabassett River 
(Fernald) and along the St. John at Fort Kent (Furbish) in 
the same state. The varieties ■miicroii.ifnm Herder, and micro- 
phyllum, Lange, the former from Alaska and the latter from the 
west coast of Greenland, lat. 70° (Schuchert and White, Torr. 
Bui. 27: 66) are not of importance. 

The plant is useful for the shrubbery border in cold wet 
locations, and its .fruit though of poor quality, is used for food 
by the natives of the northwest. 



40 



V» erythfinum, Hook. 

Hooker, Bot. Mag. t.4688, 1852. 

An erect, glabrous, evergreen shrub with bright red twigs; 
leaves ovate, obtuse, coriaceous, entire ; flowers in long, one- 
sided, terminal racemes ; corolla cylindraceous, 5-toothed,3^ inch 
long, purple, reddish. (Figured: Bot. Mag. t.4688; Lemaire, 
Jard. Fl. 4: 364; Jour, of Hort. 34: 39.) — Mountainous regions, 
Java. 

Sent to England in 1852 and since grown by various nursery- 
men as a greenhouse pot-plant. It is a strong plant, furnishing 
an abundance of bloom in December and January. Not remark- 
able, but worthy a place in collections. A very distinct type, 
the only other representative of which, so far as observed, is 
V. Rollisoni, Hook, (Bot. Mag. t.4612). 

V. ovatum, Piu-'5b, 
Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept., i : 290, 1814. 

(Synonyms: V. la.nceolatum Dunal in D. C. Prod. 7:570; 
Metagonia (Pyxothaninus) ovata, Nutt., Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. 
ser. 2, 8: 262.) 

An erect, rigid, evergreen shrub, 3-8 feet high, Avith pubescent 
branchlets ; leaves very numerous, thick, shining, ovate or oblong, 
acute, serrate ; flowers numerous, in short axillary clusters, fol- 
lowed by dark purple fruit of agreeable flavor. (Figured: Bot. 
Reg. t.1354; Lemaire, Jard. Fl. 4: 424.) — Vancouver's Island to 
Monterey, California. 

A distinctly western species, and one of California's most 
beautiful hedge plants, but not well known. V. ovatum is very 
tenacious of life and bears pruning well ; propagated from 
suckers, cuttings, and seeds which it bears freel}^ ]\Iost abund- 
ant on the northern mountain slopes of the coast range ; but also 
found growing luxuriantly on southern slopes exposed to bright 
sunhght. (T. H. Douglas, Card. & For. 6: 116, 1893). 

V. arboreum, Marshall, ( F'avkleberry, Sparkleberry) 
Marshall, Arbust. Am. 157, 1785. 

(Synonyms: V. diffusum, Ait. Bot. Mag. t.1607, Batodendron 
arboreum Nutt., Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. ser. 2, 8 : 261 and Sylva, 
3:43-) 



41 

Spreading shrub or small tree 6-25 feet high, with glabrous 
or somewhat pubescent branchlets; leaves thinnish-coriaceous, 
smooth and shining above, obovate to oblong, entire to obscurely 
denticulate ; flowers profuse, axillary and leafy racemose ; corolla 
white, 5-lobed; berry small, globose, rather astringent. {Figured: 
Lodd. Bot. Cab. t.1885; as V. diffusum, Bot. Mag. t.1607.) — 
Sandy soil along river banks, Florida and Texas to North Caro- 
lina and Illinois. 

The flowers are solitary and axillary along the terminal 
branchlets, each pedicel being curved near the flower. The 
leaves on these flowering branchlets are only about half the size 
of other leaves on the same branches, though in other respects 
similar. Some regard these leaves as bracts, and regard the 
inflorescence as "leafy racemose." 

The species was introduced into the Kew Gardens in 1765 by 
John Cree. It forms an irregular shrub too diffuse and strag- 
gling to be of value except in masses, for which purpose it is 
useful at the south. 



V, staminettm, L. (Deerberry, Squaw Huckleberry) 
Linnaeus, Sp. PI. 350, 1758. 

(Synonyms: V. elevatum Solander; Dunal in DC. Prod., 
7: 567. V. album, Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. i : 285, not L.) 

A divergently branched shrub 2-5 feet high with pubescent or 
glabrous twigs ; leaves oval to oblong-lanceolate, acute, entire, 
pale, glaucous or sometimes slightly pubescent beneath, 1-4 
inches long, ^-ij^ inches wide; flowers very numerous in large, 
leafy-bracted racemes ; corolla green, 5-cleft ; lanthers and style 
exserted ; fruit large, globose or pyriform, greenish or yellowish, 
few-seeded, almost inedible. {Figured: Bot. Rep. t.263. V. 
stamineum H. B. & K. t.353, the V. Kimthianum, Klotzsch, has 
shorter anther tubes and a hairy ovary.) — Dry woods and 
thickets Maine to Minnesota, south to Florida and Louisiana; 
rare west of the Alleghanies. 

The Deerberry is found over a wide range in the northern 
states and in the mountains south. It is also recorded as one 
of the principal _ plants of the dry pine barrens of southern 
Georgia (Harper). It is usually found naturally on gravelly 



42 

soils in the shade of deciduous trees^ — particularly black oaks — 
but will thrive on any good, well drained soil and is a valuable 
shade-enduring ornamental shrub. 

Var. melanocarpum, Mohr, (Southern Gooseberry, Mohr, 
Torr. Bui. 24:25, 1897). Shrub 2-3 feet high, branched from 
near the base; leaves as in the type, flowers in loosely 4-8 
flowered elongated racemes ; berries twice the size of the typical 
form, shining black, with a juicy purple pulp, sweetish, with 
slightly tart pleasant flavor. Rocky shaded hills in the mountain 
region of central and northern Alabama. (Mohr).^ 

Supplementary List of American Species. 

The following species from various parts of America have been 
described but as a rule are little known : 

From Mexico: angustifolium Benth (not Ait.); confertum, 
H. B. & K. ; cordattim,liemsl. ; eriocladiim Dunal ; geminiflorum, 
H. B. & K. ; Kunthiamim, Klotzsch ; leucanthemum, Schlecht. ; 
micranthum, Dunal ; Schlechtendallii, G. Don ; villosum, Smith. 

From Central America : consangiuneum, Klotzsch ; pachy- 
phyllum, Hemsl. ; secundum, Klotzsch. 

From South America; afRne, Klotzsch; Alaternoides, H. B. 
& K. ; caracasanum, H. B. & K. ididymanthum, Dun., (Rusby)^; 
Uorihiinduni, H. B. & K., (Rusby) ; penceoides, H. B. & K., 
(Rusby) ; pernettyoides, Griseb. (Rusby). 

From the West Indies : assimile Wright ; Cubense Griseb. ; 
meridionale bw ; Poasanum, Donn. Sm.^ 

THE OUTLOOK. 

As has been shown, the vacciniums are widely distributed, 
particularly in eastern and northern United States and Canada ; 
and there are vast areas which, while bearing a considerable 
number of bushes and yielding a profitable return to the few 
people who make a practice of gathering the wild fruit, are not 
utilized as they might be. The systematic treatment of the wild 
lands as described in the foregoing pages might with profit be 
extended to many other sections. 

There are also large areas, otherwise worthless, which might 



> Professor Mohr in a personal letter to the writer states that he will raise this 
variety to specific rank in a forthcoming work:— Alabama Plant Life. 

2 Collected by Rusby, Torr. Bui. 20 : 13S. 

3 Species described by Donnel Smith in Bot. Gaz. 24:395, 1897. 



43 

without doubt be made to yield good returns if, in some way, a 
growth of blueberries could be started — either by setting bushes 
or by scattering seed. The most valuable species for this pur- 
pose are Pennsylvanicum, Canadense, and vacillans. Although 
this suggestion may be regarded as visionary, it is quite within 
the range of possibilities. 

Another phase of the subject which is worthy of careful 
attention is that of domestication and the improvement of types 
by selection. During the last half century the cultivation of the 
cranberry has become an important and well established industry 
and several valuable types have been produced. Little has ever 
been attempted, however, in the garden culture of the blueberry ; 
thoup-h there is no doubt that satisfactory results may be 
obtained. The fruit in its wild state is far superior to that of 
most other small fruits and is very susceptible to the influence 
of environment. At the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station 
systematic cultural experiments are now in progress and in 
Massachusetts cultivation has been practiced by amateurs with 
encouraging results. The most promising species for this pur- 
pose, as well as for ornamental planting, is the high-bush 
blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum. The natural varieties and 
improved forms of this species may readily be perpetuated by 
division or by grafting. 

In general, it is probable that within a very few years a race 
of garden blueberries, rivaling in importance some of the best 
of the other small fruits, will be placed before the public, and 
the culture of the blueberry will be as much a matter of course 
as is that of the blackberry or the raspberry. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

The literature of the Vacciniums is fragmentary and widely 
scattered. No attempt has been made to collate all of the refer- 
ences to the genus, but below is given a list of the more impor- 
tant monographs which are usually accessible in this country, 
together with the leading articles in horticultural books and 
journals. 



44 



Monographs and Floras. 
AiTON, W. T. Hortus Kewensis ed. 2, 5 vols., 1810-13. See 

2:355-9- 
BiGELOW, Jacob. Florula Bostoiiiensis, ed. 2, 1824, see pp. 

150-4. 
Britton, N. L. and Brown, A. Illustrated Flora of the North- 
ern States and Canada, 3 vols.. New York, 

1897. See 2: 575-80. 
Chapman, A. W. Flora of the Southern United States, ed. 2, 

1883. See pp. 259-60. 
Ci^arke:, C. B. Vaccinium, in Hooker, Flora of British India, 

7 vols., 1882. See 3: 451-5. 
Don, George. Dictionary of Gardening and Botany, 4 vols., 

1831-38. See 3:855-860. 
DuNAL, Michel Felix. Vaccinium, in De Candolle, Prodro- 

mus, 7:566-576, 1839. 
Gray, Asa. Synoptical Flora of North America, 2 : 20-26, 1887. 
H. B. and K. (Humboldt, Bonpland and Kunth). Voyage 

de Humboldt et Bonpland, 8 vols., 1815-25. 

See 3 : 265 et seq. 
HemslEy, W. Botting. Biologia centrali-americana, Botany 

(1879-88), 5 vols. See 2 : 30 et seq. 
Hooker, William Jackson. Flora boreali-americana, etc., 

London, 1829-40, 2 vols. See 2 : 33 et seq. 
Humboldt, Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von, see H. B. 

and K. 
Koch, Karl Heinrich Emil. Dendrologie. Baume . . . 

welche in Europa . . . kultivirt werden, 

1869, 3 vols. See 2 : 95-109. 
Kunth, Carl Sigismund, see H. B. and K. 
Lamarck, Jean Baptiste Antoine. Encyclopedie methodique 

Botanique, Paris, 1783-1808, 8 vols. See 

I : 63 et seq. 
MiCHAUX, Andre. Flora boreali-americana, Paris, 1803 (ed. 2, 

1820), 2 vols. See i : 227-235. 
NuTTALL, Thomas. Transactions of American Philosophical 

Society, ser 2, 8 : 261 et seq., 1842. 
Pursh, Frederick. Flora Americanae-septentrionalis . . . 

London, 1814, 2 vols. See 2 : 284-290. 



45 

Current Literature. 

Ame^Sj Marcus F. The Culture of Blueberries. Am. Cult. 

Aug. 1898. 
AscHERSON and Magnus. Die weissfriichtige Heidelbeere. Ver- 

handl. Zool. Bot. GeselL, Vienna, 1891, 679. 
AsCH^RSON and Magnus. "Die Weisse Heidelbeere {Vacci- 

nium Myrtilhis, L. var. leucocarpa, Hause), 

nicht identische mit der durch Sclerotinia hac- 

carum (Sch.) Rehm, verursachten Sclerotien 

Krankheit." Ber. der deutschen Bot. Gesel- 

Isch., 1890, 387-400. 
BailSy, L. H. Cape Cod Cranberries. Am. Gard. 1 1 : 583-6, 

1890. Cultural notes. 
BoNGARD_, Hi;iNRiCH GusTAv, Sitk. 525, "Observations sur la 

vegetation de Tile de Sitcha." Mem. Acad. 

Petersb. Ser. VI, II, (St. Petersburg, 1833). 
Card, F. W., "Huckleberries," Bush Fruits, 491-501. 
Dawson, Jackson, "Huckleberries and Blueberries." Count. 

Gent., 1885, p. 660. Detailed notes on the 

culture of seedlings of this class. 
Dawson, Jackson, The Cultivation of Huckleberries. Gard. 

and For. i: 183-185, 1888. 
Fernald, M. L., The Distribution of the Bilberries of New Eng- 
land. Rhodora, 2 : 187-190, 1900. Refers 

particularly to V. ccFspitosum and V. uligin- 

osum. 
Farlow, W. G., White Huckleberries. Gard. and For. 2 : 50 

and 6 : 363. 
FuLLi^R, A. S., Huckleberries. Small Fruit Culturist, ed. i, 

245-250. 
Ge;rarde;, John, Herballe, ed. 2, pp. 141 5-19, figs. 6, 1633. 

Interesting historical notes. 
Harve:y, F. L., The Cranberries of Maine. Trans. Maine Pom. 

Soc'y 1895, 49-54. 
Hill, E. J., V. vacillans with White Fruit. Gard. and For. 

8:503, 1895. 
Jack, J. G., The Cultivated Blueberries. Gard. and For. 7 : 294, 

1894. 
LawTon, C. D.,' The Value of Huckleberry Swamps, Rep, Mich. 

Hort. Soc'y, 1881, 231. 



46 

Macoun, J. M., Notes on V. Vitis-Idaea. Gard. and For. 

2 : 508, 1889. 
Maury^ Paul, "Vaccinium de France — sur les variations de 

Structure des." Jour, de Bot. i: 104-8, 115- 

117, ill. 
MuNSON, W. M., The Blueberry in Maine. Rep. Maine Agr'l 

Exp. Sta. 1898, 164-172. 
MuNSON, W. M., Some Little Known Fruits. Am. Gard. 

20: 852, 1899. (Same, Trans. Me. Pom. Soc'y 

i899> 36-38) 

MuNSON, W. M., The Blueberry — Its Past, Present, and Future. 

Parkinson, John, Whortleberries. Theatrum Botanicum, 
Chap. 46, pp. 1455-9. 1640. 

Peck, Chas. H., Huckleberries and Blueberries. Count. Gent. 
1888, p. 168. Popular notes on the botany of 
several species of Vaccinium and Gaylussacia. 

Sargent, C. S., Notes on Vaccinium hirsutum. Gard. and For. 
2 : 364, fig. I, 1899. 

Sturtevant, E. Lewis, Huckleberries and Blueberries — Gaylus- 
sacia and Vaccinium, sp. Trans. Mass. Hort. 
Soc'y 1890, pp. 17-38. 

Woronin, Ueber die Sclerotien Krankheit der Vaccinieen 
Beeren, i( 



INDEX 



PAGE 

Albino forms i8 

American species ' o- 4- 

Bibliography ' 43 

Blueberry barrens 1 1 

Blueberry industry i- 

Blueberry rake I5 

Botanical notes 20 

Burning over the plains 14 

Classification, horticultural 2,3 

natural 21 

Characters of the genus 20 

Common names i 

Cultivation, history of 10 

Distribtition of species 2 

Financial importance of the blueberry , 17 

Historical notes 3 

Important species 25 

Key to the natural groups 21 

Names, common i 

Natural groups of species 21 

Outlook, the 42 

Picking the fruit 15 

Propagation 8 

Rake, the blueberry 15 

Seedlings, method of starting 9 

Species, descriptions of 25, 42 

arboreum 40 

atrococcum 38 

caespitosum 30 

Canadense 33 

corymbosum 37 

crassifolium 39 

erythrinum 40 

erythrocarpon 28 

hirsutum 34 

m.acrocarpqn 26 

Myrsinites .■ 29 



48 

; Species, descriptions of : page 

myrtilloides ■ 35 

Myrtillus 30 

nigrum ;i2 

nitidum 28 

ovalifolium 35 

ovatum 40 

Oxycoccus 25 

parvifolium 27 

Pennsylvanicum 31 

stamineum 41 

uliginosum 39 

vacillans 29 

A'irgatum 36 

Vitis-Idaea .• 26 

Use of vaccinium for ornamental planting 7 

Uses of the fruit 4 

Value of the crop 17 

White blueberries 18 



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